ISO Report upon a Memoir on the Nitrous Ether » 



which it retains, and which we may separate from it by 

 means of Hme. 



The volatiHty of the ether thus prepared is such, ihat the 

 tension it indicates is 0-73 metres, while that of the best 

 sulphuric ether in the same circumstances is no more than 

 0*46 metres, at 21° in the centigrade thermometer, and 0.*76' 

 metres of atmospheric pressure. We see, therefore, that 

 at this temperature and pressure it i5 at the limits of its ex- 

 istence in th(5 liquid state. 



But if we can deprive the nitric ether of its acidity by 

 means of lime, it hastens to become acid again, whether we 

 distil it, leave it in contact with the air, or keep it in welt 

 stopped battles. This formation of acid also takes place 

 when we treat ether with water, particularly if the tempe- 

 rature is from 25° to 30° of Reaumur. The author explains- 

 the formation of the acid, by the reciprocal action of the 

 principles which constitute ether, and which are there feebly 

 retained by combination. 



M. Thenard afterwards proceeds to the decomposition of 

 the nitric ether by heat, and he analyses the gases which 

 proceed from it, founding his calculations upon the most 

 exact data hitherto found : he obtains as a result, that 100^ 

 Dirts of nitric acid is composed (laying aside fractions) of 

 A^ote — 16 



Carbon> — 39 



Oxygen — 34 



^ Hydrogen — • J); 



From this^ he concludes what passes in the reciprocal ac- 

 tion of alcohol and nitric acid. The oxygen of this acid ia 

 combined with a great part of the hydrogen of the alcohol, and 

 with a very small quantity of its carbon. From this there 

 results, 1st, A great deal of water and gaseous oxide of 

 azote, a litile caibonic acid, and a little nitrous gas and ni- 

 trous acid; 2dly,The separation of a small quantity of azote> 

 and the formation of a great deal of nitric ether, by the 

 combination of a sufficiently large quantity of the two prin- 

 ciples of the nitric acid with the de-hydrogenated and 

 slightly decarbonized alcohol ; 3dly, The formation of a 

 little acetic acid, and a small quantity of a substance which 



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